Where Do You Go to Find a Decent Tradie?

Halc on 15/04/2022 - 11:16
Last edited 15/04/2022 - 11:21

Inspired by the other thread whom shall not be named, I've been finding it really hard to find a good tradie. Always happy to pay fair price for good jobs done but have had bad experiences with having to ask them to come back multiple times for leaks that are not fixed, and an arborist asking for 20% more than initially agreed in writing (after site inspection). So other than good old word of mouth and hipages/airtasker is there any other ways to find a decent tradie?

For the tradies out there, what are some of the things you would like to us to know / pet hates for when we approach for a job to make sure we don't waste your time and get the right people for the right jobs?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • pharkurnell on 15/04/2022 - 11:22
    +3

    You are not alone in finding it hard..

    • HeWhoKnows on 16/04/2022 - 18:14
      +3

      Good tradies are always busy

  • Benoffie on 15/04/2022 - 11:24
    +10

    I will often ask businesses who they recommend. Most of the time, they won't recommend someone rubbish as it looks bad for them - especially if they're wanting their products to be used in that installation.
    Found my new plumber this way (via Bunnings). Young bloke who actually knew the meaning of customer service (and technology).

    • Halc on 15/04/2022 - 11:36
      +1

      ah good tip, will try that next time. problem is the good ones are always hard to get hold of!

    • HardQuiz on 15/04/2022 - 16:48
      +4

      Along the lines of asking businesses, is to ask local realestate agents on who they use or recommend.

      They probably have tried majority of local tradies and settled on few to trust with the properties they manage.

  • Tiredman on 15/04/2022 - 11:46
    +4

    Depends on the job. I find that for smaller jobs, Airtasker is surprisingly good. We use them for our sites. Just go for those with plenty of 5* reviews and you most likely won't go wrong. I rather them than trades with fancy websites but not reviews from customers.

    I find no better way than airtasker for proper reviews.

  • Euphemistic on 15/04/2022 - 12:08
    +7

    Good old word of mouth is best.

    Local faceache community groups can be helpful to find tradies. Chances are someone local has used a service and would recommend.

  • FujiFruit on 15/04/2022 - 12:08

    I have so many things to fix around the house and yes it’s so frustrating to find a good tradie without being ripped off . I have had a few quotes for jobs and it’s crazy the different quotes I get. I ask people about recommending and people don’t want to recommend as u can see they don’t want to recommend crap tradies.

  • AdosHouse on 15/04/2022 - 14:00
    +2

    Probably at the pub.

    • randomusername2017 on 15/04/2022 - 19:23

      best get there early whilst they are still decent…

  • brendanm on 15/04/2022 - 14:05
    +2

    You do it yourself.

    • BuyOrNot on 16/04/2022 - 11:38
      -1

      You cannot if its something to do with electricity.

      • brendanm on 16/04/2022 - 12:22
        +1

        Of course you can.

  • Bid Sniper on 15/04/2022 - 15:25
    +2

    Youtube, then DIY

  • prisonmike on 15/04/2022 - 18:00
    +7

    Decent tradies don’t exist on this planet. Whoever you engage with just make sure they are registered and have insurance.

    • DoctorCalculon on 16/04/2022 - 11:46
      +2

      After hiring many tradies (mainly via hipages, ServiceSeeking, etc.) over the years, I have come to the same conclusion.

      One telltale sign is if a tradie refuses to provide a proper cost breakdown in their quotation - materials and labour separated out.

  • morse on 16/04/2022 - 02:09
    +2

    Word of mouth. Take note when friends or colleagues mention they are having work done and ask them how it went. Just ask around if anyone knows a good electrician, plumber, tiler etc. Also if you’ve had one good tradie ask them to recommend others.

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